My abductors almost slaughtered me – Kano Rep, Durbunde

Member of the House of Representatives representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency of Kano State, Garba Umar-Durbunde has narrated his ordeal in the hands of those who kidnapped him on Tuesday.

Recall that unknown gunmen had on Tuesday abducted the lawmaker in Jere, along the Abuja-Kaduna road while driving to Kano from Abuja.

Umar-Durbunde, who was released on Wednesday night after paying a sizeable ransom disclosed that his abductors almost slaughtered him.

The Reps member said the hoodlums numbering 14 who were “well armed with deadly weapons” threatened to slaughter him if he refused to give them a reasonable amount of money.

Narrating his experience to Punch, the lawmaker said, “I spent over 21 hours with them and they released me about 7.30pm.

“They kidnapped me and I travelled with them for over four hours into the bush from point to point.

“I met 14 of them; they were armed to the teeth. They all carried guns, daggers and knives; it was terrible.

“At a point, they threatened that they would slaughter me. Those people are fearless, ruthless; they can kill anybody.”

Admitting that ransom was paid, the lawmaker refused to disclose how much changed hands.

However, unconfirmed sources said N10m was raised to secure the lawmaker’s freedom. The kidnappers reportedly demanded N60m initially.

Speaking further, the Kano lawmaker revealed that the moment the kidnappers pulled him out of his vehicle, they saw his red cap and concluded that he was a political associate of a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“They said I was a Kwankwaso ally,” he added.

He said though he was unharmed, he had to undergo immediate medical check-up after he was released because of the psychological trauma he faced in the hands of the kidnappers.

“My brother, I thank God that I am now stable. “But, I must tell you that yesterday (Wednesday), I couldn’t sleep. “The experience was terrible and nobody should pray for it,” he stated.